Mark Pope’s debut season as head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats has drawn high praise — not just from fans, but also from ESPN.
After stepping into the role following John Calipari’s departure to Arkansas, Pope was tasked with rebuilding the Wildcats from the ground up. Despite the challenge, he delivered a strong first year, finishing with a 24-12 record in what many consider the toughest conference in college basketball.
ESPN’s Myron Medcalf handed out season grades across the college hoops landscape, and Pope earned an “A” for his work in Lexington.
> “There will always be a ‘what if?’ element to this season,” Medcalf wrote, referencing key injuries to top transfers Kerr Kriisa, Lamont Butler, and Jaxson Robinson. “But the Wildcats never made excuses. Wins over Duke, Florida, and Tennessee (twice) anchored a resume that included eight top-30 KenPom wins.”
Pope’s Wildcats made it to the Sweet 16 before falling to conference rival Tennessee. Along the way, they developed into one of the top offensive units in the country and improved defensively, ranking 51st in defensive efficiency.
The “A” grade places Kentucky in elite company within the SEC, joining Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Missouri, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt. Meanwhile, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Texas received “B” grades. LSU, South Carolina, and Texas, however, ended up with a disappointing “D.”
While fans may have hoped for a deeper tournament run, Pope’s ability to quickly build a competitive team and deliver high-profile wins signals a promising new era for Kentucky basketball.
